We’ve just announced the return of YouTube Symphony Orchestra, an online audition for a collaborative orchestra on a global scale. What began with 3,000 YouTube submissions from concert calls, living rooms and dorms in 70 countries around the world culminated in YouTube bringing an orchestra of 96 musicians from over 30 countries to New York’s Carnegie Hall to perform a sell-out concert under the direction of San Francisco Symphony Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas.

This time, we’re very excited to bring YouTube Symphony Orchestra down under to perform on March 20, 2011, in Australia’s very own Sydney Opera House. The performance will be live streamed on the world’s largest stage: YouTube. This ‘second act’ promises an even more innovative celebration than the first, bringing together music, technology, and global collaboration in an iconic venue of world class ideas and performances -- Sydney Opera House.

This morning we launched YouTube Symphony Orchestra 2011, direct from the Utzon room at Sydney Opera House, with key partners Tourism Australia, Sydney Symphony, and other musical guests in attendance. The event featured performances from YouTube Australia sensation Aston, an inspired improvisational performance from William Barton, and a live hookup to last year’s host venue, Carnegie Hall in New York.

William Barton

Aston

We’re calling on musicians to audition for the opportunity to take part in YouTube Symphony Orchestra and perform at Sydney Opera House. If you play trumpet, banjo or didgeridoo, from Sydney to Tassie, Brisbane or Broome, we want to hear from you!

To be considered, upload audition videos of designated pieces to demonstrate your musical and technical abilities. This year, we’re also looking for solo improvisers to extend the audition process beyond classical instruments and performance. The online audition period opens October 13, 2010, and extends through to November 28, 2010.

Selected musicians will be flown to Sydney to participate in a week-long classical music summit with Michael Tilson Thomas and leading musical masters, culminating in a final performance on March 20, 2011, which will be live-streamed on YouTube.

YouTube Symphony Orchestra 2011 offers a further focus on musical education, and will offer online master classes with orchestras around the world, and classes for Australian musicians during the summit.